Federal NDP
New Democrats welcome new approach to abortion funding from CIDA
OTTAWA – New Democrat Critic for International Cooperation John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) welcomed Minister Bev Oda’s comments that indicated the Government of Canada will provide funding for safe abortion services in countries where abortion is legal through CIDA’s Maternal Health Initiative.
Stephen Harper failing Northern Canadians: Layton
YELLOWKNIFE—New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today accused Stephen Harper of failing the needs of Northern Canadians.
“Whether it’s standing by as our pristine North is polluted, promoting an ill-conceived Northern Strategy or ignoring the calls for a highway along the Mackenzie Valley, Stephen Harper has made it clear that he is not concerned with the problems facing the people of the North,” Layton said.
Tories tuned out as digital TV transition looms
OTTAWA- With the deadline for the switch from analogue to digital TV now one year away many Canadians are still unsure how this will affect their television access.
“So far the Conservative Government has dropped the ball preparing Canadians for this transition that has been in works since 2007,” said New Democrats Digital Issues Critic Charlie Angus. “Canadians are completely unprepared for this change in service. I am hearing from a lot of people who are worried that they won’t be able to watch TV after this goes through.”
Tories attack on police out of line: Angus
OTTAWA – New Democrat Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) says the Conservative Government has crossed over the line by insinuating that police support for the gun registry represents a threat to Canada's freedom. The suggestion was made in an e-mail note Angus received from Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
New Democrats call for un commission of inquiry on Burma
OTTAWA – Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).
“Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry.”
Layton calls for an end to gun registry divisiveness
OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Jack Layton today called on Prime Minister Harper and Opposition leaders to stop playing cynical political games and work to strengthen gun control and respect rural concerns.
“Stephen Harper is pitting Canadian region against Canadian region with his all or nothing show-down. This is un-Canadian,” said Layton. “This is the poisonous politics of the United States. Not the nation-building politics of Canada.”
Statement from Jack Layton on the death of Corporal Brian Pinksen
My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Cpl. Brian Pinksen of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook, NL. Pinksen, 21, who was injured on August 22nd by an IED, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the military hospital he was being treated at in Germany earlier today.
Cpl. Pinksen’s passing will come as a blow to the community in Corner Brook, where he is from. The untimely death of such a young man serves as a solemn reminder to us all of the dangers faced each day by our soldiers in Afghanistan.
Gun Registry: Building Bridges
Good morning.
If the measure of a national leader is the ability to bridge divides among citizens, our prime minister fails that standard. I have a very clear example: the ongoing debate over the long-gun registry. This country, truly, is divided. There is no consensus.
As the Leader of the New Democratic Party, I have listened closely to the frustration of rural Canadians. I have heard the anger.
Layton calls for an end to gun registry divisiveness
OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Jack Layton today called on Prime Minister Harper and Opposition leaders to stop playing cynical political games and work to strengthen gun control and respect rural concerns.
“Stephen Harper is pitting Canadian region against Canadian region with his all or nothing show-down. This is un-Canadian,” said Layton. “This is the poisonous politics of the United States. Not the nation-building politics of Canada.”
New Democrats renew call for nuclear disarmament
OTTAWA – On the first International Day against Nuclear Tests, New Democrats renewed their call for Canadian leadership toward achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Offshore drilling in New Beluga Park shows broken system
OTTAWA – Yesterday, Mr. Harper announced the creation of a new Marine Protected Area in the Beaufort Sea but failed to mention that the government plans to allow offshore oil drilling within it.
New Democrat Natural Resources Critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) suggested that this is clear evidence that our offshore drilling rules need to be overhauled.
Toward an economic vision: Jack Layton’s Speech to the Toronto Rotary Club
Your kind of engagement matters a great deal, at this time when so many people are disengaging — from politics, in particular. 41% of registered voters didn’t even cast a ballot in the 2008 election. “A pox on all their houses!”
We hear that from many Canadians. We hear them lamenting what Parliament has become — the antics, the nastiness. It’s not just declining decorum.
When citizens look to Ottawa nowadays, I think many see a place that feels disconnected from their lives. Why vote? Why bother?” We hear it a lot.
New Democrats call on Harper to show leadership on Canada’s aging population
OTTAWA – New Democrats today renewed their call for the Government to take action on the challenges arising from Canada’s aging population.
“We have known for some time that we have a rapidly growing community of seniors in this country yet the government continues to drag its feet,” said New Democrat Critic for Senior and Pensions issues, Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) “All we have had so far is announcements and re-announcements but no action. Harper seems prepared to let this crisis develop unchecked. Our seniors deserve better.”
Layton demands Conservatives stop stalling and release firearms report
OTTAWA – Today, New Democratic Leader Jack Layton called on Prime Minister Harper to stop interfering and let Canadians see the Canadian Firearms Program Evaluation report. This report, completed in February evaluates the effectiveness of the Canadian firearms program, but has still not been released.
“This report was supposed to be tabled in May but the government claimed that it was still in translation,” said Layton. “There is no way it takes months to translate a report – they’re stalling for political purposes.”
Conservatives continue to ignore unconventional oil and gas review
OTTAWA — New Democrats are demanding the Conservative government to immediately start a comprehensive review of regulation of unconventional oil and gas production in Canada they promised in the spring.
On June 2, Conservatives and opposition MPs unanimously voted for a motion by New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) to immediately conduct an open public review of relevant federal laws, regulations and policies regarding the development of all unconventional sources of oil and gas. Since then the Conservatives have turned their backs on that promise.
New Democrats welcome new Arctic foreign policy
OTTAWA – New Democrats today welcomed the federal government’s policy shift in the arctic and called for further cooperation among Arctic countries and engagement with Northerners.
“Today’s announcement marks a major shift from the Conservatives’ confrontational posture on the Arctic,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Conservatives are late-comers to cooperation and engagement – but better late than never.”
Government’s slow response to Pakistan ‘shameful’ say New Democrats
OTTAWA – New Democrat International Cooperation Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) today criticised the Conservative government’s lack of leadership and slow response to the growing disaster in Pakistan.
Reality check: HST strikes again, inflation rises.
Stephen Harper’s new tax has been eating away at Canadians’ wallets; it’s becoming clearer every day as the impacts of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) are reported.
Today Statistics Canada is reporting an increase in inflation and directly linking the uptick to the HST. What went up?
- Gas at the pumps up 4.8%
- Electricity prices up 9.8%
- Cost of housing up 2.9%
Of course the housing market not only suffers from inflation but sagging sales numbers too.
Canadians can’t trust Harper to protect strategic industries
OTTAWA – With the flagship of Canada’s potash industry inching towards foreign sale, New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today called on the prime minister to stop rubber-stamping foreign takeovers and start protecting family-supporting jobs and communities.
“When it comes to ensuring that takeovers deliver a net benefit to this country, Canadians can’t trust Stephen Harper. Too many past takeovers have meant boarded-up mills, shredded collective agreements, and lost jobs and pensions,” said Layton.
Canadians can’t trust Harper to protect strategic industries
OTTAWA – With the flagship of Canada’s potash industry inching towards foreign sale, New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today called on the prime minister to stop rubber-stamping foreign takeovers and start protecting family-supporting jobs and communities.
“When it comes to ensuring that takeovers deliver a net benefit to this country, Canadians can’t trust Stephen Harper. Too many past takeovers have meant boarded-up mills, shredded collective agreements, and lost jobs and pensions,” said Layton.
